Courtesy PhotoAustin Nichols and fiance, Courtney Campbell, are getting married sooner than they had originally planned to spend as much time together after Nichols was diagnosed with an inoperable, malignant brain tumor.

JACKSON, MI -- Joy Gebhardt of Concord will never forget the events of March 2.

“From that moment on, our life changed,” she said. “What was once important wasn’t important anymore, and our priorities completely changed.”

On that day, just before heading south for spring break, Gebhardt’s 23-year-old son, Austin Nichols, was informed he had an inoperable, malignant brain tumor.

Doctors diagnosed him with diffuse pontine glioma, a highly aggressive form of cancer.

“Surreal, that’s pretty much the only word that comes to mind,” Nichols said. “It’s obviously something you never expect.”

“You’re never really prepared for someone to tell you that,” Gebhardt said. “You spend your whole life teaching them and raising them so they can accomplish all of the milestones in life, and you never want to think they won’t get a chance for all that.”

How to help

A benefit spaghetti dinner and silent auction will take place from 11:30 a.m.
to 4 p.m. on Sunday, May 20, at Grass Lake High School, 11500
Warrior Trail. All proceeds will help offset Austin’s
medical expenses and will include a 50/50 drawing, music, a bounce
house, shirt/armband sale, and silent auction. Other monetary donations
can be sent to “Team Austin Fund for Austin Nichols” at P.O. Box 18,
Concord, MI 49237.

While growing up in Grass Lake, Gebhardt describes her son as an extremely talented, positive and optimistic person -- both when he was young, and even more so now. Participating in sports, learning how to play the guitar and following his passion for art in college are among his many accomplishments.

And despite the diagnosis, Nichols’ optimism and positivity have only increased.

“Knowing the circumstances is important, but having a positive attitude is the biggest thing for me,” he said.

Nichols began chemotherapy and radiation treatment almost immediately in Ann Arbor. The side effects were extreme and soon Nichols’ vision and mobility began to suffer, Gebhardt said.

It did not take long for friends and family to come together in support of Nichols. “Team Austin” shirts are now being worn by friends, family and even complete strangers, Gebhardt said. Even Nichols’ doctors are wearing “Team Austin” armbands the family has been selling to help with medical costs.

“I’ve gotten love and support from everyone around me,” Nichols said. “I don’t really know how to describe it, but it’s been a humbling experience to say the least.”

Nichols said his fiancé, Courtney Campbell, has provided incredible support during this time.

“She’s been my foundation through this, my biggest support system, and has been with me every step of the way,” he said.

Nichols proposed to Campbell one week prior to his diagnosis. After learning about the cancer, they both decided to move the wedding date up one year to May 27. During that time, Nichols will have a one-month break from his treatments.

Gebhardt said she couldn’t be happier about the upcoming wedding and said it has given everyone something positive to look forward to.

“I feel like we’re squeezing a full life into a very small amount of time, just in case,” she said. “So we just want him to enjoy life as much as possible for as long as possible.”